Center for Women & Enterprise Central MA

Center for Women & Enterprise Central MA CWE is an inclusive economic empowerment organization helping women business entrepreneurs.

Learn from leaders who have built businesses, shaped industries, secured funding, transformed workplace culture, and hel...
08/20/2026

Learn from leaders who have built businesses, shaped industries, secured funding, transformed workplace culture, and helped entrepreneurs succeed.

The 2026 Business Summit brings together an outstanding lineup of speakers ready to share practical strategies, real-world experiences, and actionable insights to help you grow your business. From funding and procurement to leadership, branding, sales, and sustainable growth, there's something for every entrepreneur.

🎤 Featured Speakers & Session Leaders
• Colleen DelVecchio – Chief Maximizer, Maxady
• Maria Gonzalez – Founder & Principal, M&A Supplier Diversity Consultants (M&A SDC)
• Cvic Innocent – General Partner, Frankenbuild Ventures
• Angela Krupica – Senior Credit Analyst, East Cambridge Savings Bank
• Zuhaly Ramon – Founder, Chronicles Collective
• Patricia Schiapelli – Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer, East Cambridge Savings Bank
• Adriana Vaccaro – CEO, Culture Redesign
• Lynn Wahlquist – Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer, East Cambridge Savings Bank

You'll also experience:
🤝 Networking with fellow entrepreneurs and business leaders
🏢 Corporate matchmaking opportunities for eligible certified businesses
🎓 Interactive workshops and hands-on learning
🎤 Pitch It!, our exciting closing competition where six entrepreneurs compete live for $1,500 in cash prizes
💡 Practical ideas and connections you can put to work immediately

🗓 Wednesday, October 7, 2026
📍 College of the Holy Cross | Worcester, MA
⏰ 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM

This event sells out. Register today!

08/18/2026

Growing a business takes more than ambition; it takes clarity, strategy, and the right support system.

That’s what Teresa Cruz Foley, Brad Spelbring, and Crystal Silva found through CWE. With guidance on everything from capability statements to crafting a strong pitch, they gained tools to better position their businesses and stand out in competitive spaces.

Surrounded by a community focused on growth and improvement, they’re turning knowledge into action, and opportunity.

No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, CWE meets you where you are.

Learn more at https://www.cweonline.org

The CWE 2026 Business Summit is packed with workshops designed to help you grow your business with confidence. Whether y...
08/13/2026

The CWE 2026 Business Summit is packed with workshops designed to help you grow your business with confidence. Whether you're building your team, preparing for funding, pursuing contracts, strengthening your leadership, or scaling for the future, you'll leave with ideas you can put into action right away.

Featured Sessions

Scaling Your Business Without Losing Your Mind: The FARTHER Model for Sustainable Growth
Adriana Vaccaro, CEO, Culture Redesign

Transforming Your Story into Impactful Strategies
Zuhaly Ramon, Founder, The Chronicles Collective

The Loan Readiness Lab
Angela Krupica, Senior Credit Analyst; Patricia Schiapelli, Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer; and Lynn Wahlquist, Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer, East Cambridge Savings Bank

What Gets Funded, and Why
Cvic Innocent, General Partner, Frankenbuild Ventures

From Certification to Contracts: Navigating Massachusetts Procurement with Confidence
Maria Gonzalez, Founder & Principal, M&A Supplier Diversity Consultants (M&A SDC)

Shift Happens: Transitioning from Employee to Manager
Colleen DelVecchio, Chief Maximizer, Maxady

Matchmaking Roundtable Engagement (Certified businesses)

One-on-One Matchmaking (By appointment for eligible certified businesses)

Elevate Your Supplier Engagement Strategy (Supplier engagement professionals only)
Facilitated by Deb Thomas

Pitch It!
Watch six entrepreneurs pitch their businesses live in just 90 seconds for $1,500 in cash prizes and see if your picks match the judges'.

🗓 Wednesday, October 7, 2026
📍 College of the Holy Cross | Worcester, MA

Register today and join us for a full day of learning, networking, inspiration, and opportunities to help move your business forward. Registration link in our comment.

Growth takes more than ambition. It takes positioning.Nationally, Women's Business Enterprise National Council - WBENC ...
08/12/2026

Growth takes more than ambition. It takes positioning.

Nationally, Women's Business Enterprise National Council - WBENC Certification can strengthen your credibility with corporations, lenders, and procurement teams. Certification increases visibility in supply chains and can open the door to larger contracts — which often leads to stronger banking relationships and funding opportunities.

But scaling isn’t just about getting certified. It’s about being prepared.

That’s where CWE comes in as your partner.

We help you:
• Assess whether your business is ready for growth
• Understand how certification fits into your scaling strategy
• Strengthen your financial foundation
• Connect to capital and funding resources

If you’re thinking bigger: expanding contracts, hiring staff, entering new markets — let’s make sure you’re positioned to grow with confidence.

CWE helps you take the next step, strategically.

https://cweonline.org/build-your-business/certification-programs/womens-business-enterprise-national-council-wbenc

08/07/2026

⏰ Early Bird pricing ENDS TODAY! Don't miss your chance to save.

The 2026 Business Summit is packed with opportunities to help you learn, grow, and make meaningful business connections.

✨ Inspiring workshops
🤝 Networking with fellow entrepreneurs
🏢 Corporate matchmaking opportunities
🎤 The Pitch It! live competition

Whether you're looking to make new connections, gain fresh perspectives, or discover your next opportunity, this is the place to be.

Register now through our website to save your seat at the discounted rate.

We'll see you on October 7.

07/30/2026

⏰ Early Bird pricing ends August 7. Don't miss your chance to save.

The 2026 Business Summit is packed with opportunities to help you learn, grow, and make meaningful business connections.

✨ Inspiring workshops
🤝 Networking with fellow entrepreneurs
🏢 Corporate matchmaking opportunities
🎤 The Pitch It! live competition

Whether you're looking to make new connections, gain fresh perspectives, or discover your next opportunity, this is the place to be.

Register now to save your seat at the discounted rate.

We'll see you on October 7.

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉 CWE received a $15,000 grant from the Middlesex Savings Bank Charitable Foundation to support entrepr...
07/29/2026

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉 CWE received a $15,000 grant from the Middlesex Savings Bank Charitable Foundation to support entrepreneurial education and financial capability training for central Massachusetts women.

We’re deeply grateful to the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation for their commitment to economic empowerment.

Together, we're building stronger businesses, communities, and futures. 💪 💼

07/28/2026

Building a business requires more than hustle. It requires support.

For Janell Caldwell, Founder & CEO of Phenomenal J's, LLC, CWE has been a powerful tool in her toolbox. From webinars and events to networking and new connections, each opportunity has helped propel her business forward; bringing in new clients, new partnerships, and new growth.

For Jill Monson, Director of Growth at Culture ReDesigned, CWE has been transformative in another way. It’s not just about resources, it’s about community. It’s about powerful women coming together, sharing experiences, and lifting one another up.

Because here, competition isn’t the focus:

Collaboration is.
Support is.
Breaking outdated narratives is.

Running a business doesn’t mean doing it alone—and it certainly doesn’t mean tearing others down to rise.

At CWE, women lift women.

No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, there’s a community ready to help you grow.

[APPLICATION DEADLINE TOMORROW] Winning the prize is exciting. But who our six selected entrepreneurs get to pitch to ma...
07/23/2026

[APPLICATION DEADLINE TOMORROW] Winning the prize is exciting. But who our six selected entrepreneurs get to pitch to may be even more valuable. Meet the Judges for "Pitch It!"

We're excited to welcome:

⭐️ Meredith Phillips Almeida – Northeast Regional Lead for LISC/Verizon Small Business Digital Ready. Meredith brings more than 20 years of experience in economic development and works with organizations across the Northeast to expand access to digital tools, mentoring, and funding that help entrepreneurs thrive.

⭐️ Emil Farjo – Business Assistance Manager at Common Capital. With more than 25 years as a business owner and 15+ years coaching entrepreneurs, Emil has helped hundreds of small businesses strengthen their finances, improve operations, and prepare for long-term growth.

⭐️ Natalia Urtubey – Foundation Fellow at Eastern Bank Foundation. Natalia is a champion for small business equity and has led initiatives that have expanded access to funding, resources, and opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs throughout Massachusetts.

These judges bring decades of real-world experience, valuable insights, and a shared passion for supporting entrepreneurs. In addition to selecting our winners, they'll provide thoughtful feedback to help each participant continue growing their business.

Think you've got what it takes?

⏰ Apply by TOMORROW July 24 to compete in Pitch It! live at the 2026 Business Summit! Application link in comment👇

Address

300 Main Street
Worcester, MA
01608

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15084539209

Website

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